The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1887-06-25
WALKER VS.. FRIPP.
Unexpected Result Of Great
Libel Suit.

There Is nothing in life easier than to edit
a newspaper. A little knowledge of the
world, a nice critical perception, a pen equal
to any emergency--these are the only indis-
pensable qualifications. SO, at least, think
many people who dabble in literature; and
so thought DIR. julius Fripp, when, after
contributing for many years to one period
ical and another, he invested all his availa-
BILE funds in the purchase Of the Spectator
newspaper, and installed himself in the ed
itor's chair.
Strange to say, the result did not alto
gcther correspond with DIR. Fripp's expec-
tations. The Spectator had been originally
started as an organ Of advanced thought
but at the time DR.. Fripp appeared on the
scene it had all but speculated itself out of
existence. The Doctor (Fripp had picked up
a degree early in life during solourn in
Germany, and always made point of wear
ing it) saw that the title of the paper was
as applicable to commerce as to philosophy,
and he accordingly started the Spectator
on new basis as a financial journal and
guide for investors. He introduced into at
at the same time many novel and striking
journalistic ideas, which might have been
expected to make the fortune of any
newspaper. The public, however, took no
better to the new Spectator than to the old.
The advertisements kent the paper afloat
for time Qt is an astonishing thing
how long advertisers will remain faithful
to paper which nobody reads); but the
circulation fell lower and lower, until at
last DR.. Fripp perceived that, unless vital
ity could be restored somehow, his editorial
days were numbered. In this extremity,
Only one hope suggested itself to him. and
Z that was fresh blood, coupled with fresh
funds. Actuated by this idea, the doctor
one day made it known through the columns
of the Times that an admirable opportunity
occurred for gentleman with from $500
to e1,0OO to assist in developing an old
established newspaper, certain to yield o
lucrative return. lt
satisfactory. The writer's offered expert
sncc, ability and even genius, some gratis,
;ome on highly eXorbitant terms; but
capital, somehow, held aloof After going
through all his answers, the Doctor could
only see one which looked at all like busi-
ness and that was a laconic epistle which
simply requested an interview for the pur-
pose of discussing details. There could,
at any rate, be no harm IN seeing this cor
respondent; so Fripp wrote and made the
desired appointment.
The hour came and the man. To Dr.
Fripp's surprise the card which was handed
IN bore name which was quite familiar to
lim, though he had never yet met the
,wner of it, The name was that Of Mr.
,ilas p. Walker, citizen OF the United
tates, and known to Dr. Fripp as the prin-
ipal, it not the sole proprietor of "Watha,
he Great Indian Remedy" This famous
nedicine had lately been introduced to the
office Of the British public by every means
nown to the art of the advertiser; and
ae rSpecuiatOr, among other newspapers,
ad assisted in making it's virtues known
the world. To tell the truth, the Doctor
ad been for some time past doing his best
get in an amount OF some &70 odd due to
i'm for advertisements Of the Great Indian
emedy. This made him all the more sur
cised to see his visitor.
II had better tell you at once, Mr..
Walker" he said, shat uuless you are pre-.
pared to advance or find the amount named
in my advertisement, our interview will be
waste Of time" r ~t
"Dont be In too much Of q hurry, Mr.
Fripp," replied the American, cody. SHOW,
suppose was to tell you that have got an
idea which,"
so, curse ideas!' replied the editor
with pardonable impatience, for he felt that
he had a much larger stock of the article
on hand than he could find any market for
~ ask for cash, and every fool in London
offers me IDEAS"
"May be-" responded Mr. Walker, with
1 no trace OF annoyance. Shut bet no FOOLS
been Offering you an idea like mine"
''Perhaps not But, for the present
please understand that consider myself
competent to conduct my own paper in my
own way"
''Anyllnw," said Mr.. Walker, blandly
''you have got into low water, reckon, and
want shove of. Now, have been look
ing into this paper of yours, and see you
have been trying good many notions
But there is one thing guess you have moi
tried, and that 10 Q libel action.n
sand don't want toin retorted the editor
''Even II did, 1t would require capital
and that haven't got"
Require capitall Why, ! tell you, sir, I
libel action q capital. Just look here, Mr.
Tripp. can show you how TO run 9 Law
suit thst'll be worth the thousand poundl
you are asking for, and more than that, and
won't cost you penny. But ips 70 b fol
my benefit - much - y0Nys, yherotoye